Today, we’re going to show you how to properly start a fire in Jotul’s new Oslo V3 2020 EPA compliant wood stove. Let’s get started. So, I like to start by balling up individual pieces of newspaper and completely lining the floor of the firebox with the newspaper to help establish draft. So, let’s open it up and start firing in the newspaper into our F500 Oslo. We will be really generous with our paper. Unlike many EPA 2020 certified appliances, the Oslo has no bypass. It’s just a single air control located on the front. For starting purposes, I’m going to put that to the wide-open position to give it the maximum amount of startup.
So now the firebox is fully lined with paper, we can start putting in some kindling. Everyone has their own technique; crisscrossing the kindling is one of mine. Make a little crib of the paper and wood to get some air in there. We’re going to light the fire in as many places as we can so that we get nice even combustion throughout the fuel load.
When I shut this, I’m going to leave the door just resting on the latch for the first 3 to 5 minutes to give it additional start up air. What you never want to do is open the ash pan door to give it additional start up air. Under fire air is not needed nor good for a wood stove.
It’s been 3 or 4 minutes and the kindling is fully engulfed in flame. You can now add some firewood. Start with a few smaller pieces before putting on larger wood. When opening the door, notice there is no smoke spillage whatsoever and I didn’t need to disengage a bypass damper.
Crisscross the wood, don’t just pack it in there. Close the door, things are looking pretty good. So good, I think we might be able to completely close the door now and walk away.
